Therapy Services

The WGH Therapies department includes physiotherapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT) working collaboratively to help promote your well-being and quality of life when an injury, illness, disability or another issue limits your ability to move, function or perform activities that are important to you. Therapy services are offered at the hospital on an inpatient and outpatient basis.

support and guidance for patients having total hip or knee joint surgery from Total Joint Navigators (by referral from family doctor or othropedic surgeon)

Occupational Therapists assess and treat patients with physicial, mental or cognitive disorders to develop, recover or maintain daily living and work skills. This includes by helping patients achieve functional independence, adapt their environments, modify a task or learn a skill.

swallowing difficulties

cognitive issues

daily living difficulties

brace fitting

wheelchair and equipment needs

custom splinting for various arm/hand problems

assessments (cognition, function and foot assessment)

education for arthritic and diabetic patients

compression garment prescription

aids to assist clients with daily living activities

Inpatient Therapy Care

If you have been admitted to hospital and need therapy support, your physician will refer you. PTs and OTs visit the inpatient units from Monday to Friday to provide assessment for a number of conditions and assist with your discharge from hospital.

Outpatient Therapy Services

Yukoners can also visit with an OT or PT on an outpatient basis (by appointment only) at our clinic in the Thomson Centre located next to Whitehorse General Hospital.

Referrals

To access outpatient OT/PT services, all clients must have a referral from a doctor or nursing station. Those individuals with a WCB claim are generally not seen at WGH and we also encourage those with extended health or third-party coverage to attend private OT/PT services.

We review and prioritize all referrals, aiming to see all urgent referrals within seven days. Since we offer services to all Yukoners, there may be significant wait times for non-urgent referrals. Let us know if you are available on short notice and you name will be added to our short notice list.

Appointments

All clients will be contacted with dates and times his/her appointment. For each appointment, you will check in at reception located just inside the Therapies entrance. You should plan to arrive for your first appointment 10 minutes early. Parking is available directly in front and to the side of the Therapies entrance.

Out of Town Clients

Generally, clients from rural communities will have two appointments over two consecutive days. The client is responsible for arranging travel and accommodation.

Cancellation

We ask you to help us serve all our clients by giving 24-hours notice of appointment cancellation. Failure to attend your initial appointment or two follow-up appointments without notification may result in discharge from therapy.

Costs for Services

Some of the cost for the products a therapist recommends may be covered by health insurance plans such as Seniors Program, Chronic Disease Program, Non-Insured Benefit Program or an work extended health plan. Clients are responsible for any costs not covered by Yukon Health Care. Ask your therapist for more information.